Homelessness Applications Fall, 13/01/15 [S]

Scottish Local Authorities received around 9,100 applications for homelessness assistance during July to September 2014, 3 per cent lower than in the same period in 2013.

Scotlandís Chief Statistician today released quarterly information on the Operation of the Homeless Persons Legislation in Scotland. In addition to the fall in applications, the number assessed as homeless, or likely to become homeless within two months, also fell by 3 per cent to around 7,400.

For those entitled to settled accommodation, around four out of five secured settled accommodation - including a local authority, housing association or private let as an outcome. This proportion has remained stable for the past seven years.

At 30 September 2014, there were just over 10,300 households in temporary accommodation - this figure was almost unchanged compared to one year earlier. Of these households, about a quarter were households with children, with 16 households with children in bed and breakfast accommodation. There were two breaches of the Unsuitable Temporary Accommodation Order.

The figures released today were produced by independent statistical staff free from any political interference, in accordance with professional standards set out in the Code of Practice for Official Statistics.